Switch-board construction



0st 15, 1935. w. WURDACK. JR 2,017,743

SWITCH BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1931 V 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EY -fM Arromvtr W. WURDACK. JR

SWITCH BOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 22, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 20 H J2 W, m 1/ 49 5 1 III /f T E, I

do 6 E 24 1 4 rraPn/E) Patented Oct. 15, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SWITCH-BOARD CONSTRUCTION Application October 22, 1931, Serial No. 570,397

4 Claims.

This invention relates generally to electrical apparatus and, more particularly, to a certain new and useful improvement in switch-board construction.

My invention has for its chief object to provide, in an electrical apparatus of the type stated, a sectional panel or chassis for supporting in a unitary manner a group of related switch board apparatus, so assembled at the factory as to require for proper functioning of the apparatus merely the electrical connections thereof to the switchboard circuits, the panel being adapted for juxtaposition with other or similar panels to form a switch-board assembly.

My invention has for other objects to provide a switch-board panel including a wall having apertures and switch-containing shells each having an open side exposed through a wall-aperture for cooperation with a hingedly connected door closable on the wall for co-operation, in turn, with apparatus contained in the shell, the shells being supported by members engaging the wall and the shells; to provide a switch-board including a plurality of switching compartments having terminal connections therein and provided with swingable fronts, the compartments co-operating with a wall providing a support for the compartments and an enclosure of the spaces therebetween; to provide a panel-wall having apertures and switch shells having reduced front openings whose walls are adapted for snugly fitting in the wall-apertures, the shellshaving doors hinged thereto for manipulation from the front of the wall for concealing,

when closed, the joint between the shell and. the

wall; and to generally improve the construction of switch-boards.

And with the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement, and combination of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (two sheets) Figure 1 is a rear elevational view of a switchboard sectional unit embodying my invention, parts thereof being broken away and other parts omitted, the electrical connections being shown merely for the upper tier of switch-shells;

Figure 2 is a side view of the switch-board sectional unit of Figure 1;

Figure 3'is a sectional plan-view taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 2, the apparatus in the switch-shells being omitted;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view, taken approximately along the line 4--4, Figure 2, of one of the switch-shells, and a portion of its contained apparatus, parts being broken away to show the interior construction and the door of the shell being indicated by dot-dash lines;

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the switch shells, partly in section on approxi- 5 mately the line 5-5, Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of one of the door hinges taken approximately along the line 6-6, Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational sectional 10 view of the hinge-construction taken approximately along the line |--l, Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary partly sectional side view of the door hinge construction taken approximately along the line 8-8, Figure 6, 15 the door being widely opened; and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary front elevational view to a reduced scale, with the upper and lower portions broken away, of a switch-board constructed of juxtaposed sectional units embodying modified 20 forms of my invention.

Referring now more in detail and by reference characters to the drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention, A designates generally a structurally complete panel or chassis suitable for switch-board purposes.

The panel A includes a front vertical wall or trim-plate l preferably of rolled or stamped metal construction, and provided in the wall I is a number of apertures 2 of generally rectangular outline arranged preferably in series of superimposed horizontal rows across the width of the panel. The wall I is provided at each side margin with rearwardly projecting channel-shaped side Walls 3 each having a rear marginally inturned flange 3', and along its bottom margin, the wall I is provided with a rearwardly projecting flange or foot 4.

, Disposed across the rear of the panel A for support suitably by and between the opposite flanges 3', is a series of vertically spaced pairs of horizontal bars or angle-members 5, each pair of angles 5 corresponding to, and being substantially in cross-registration with, a row of the apertures 2.

Fitting in the respective apertures 2, and at 45 their respective rear walls 9 abutted against and by means of suitable fastening elements 5' fixed to the respective cross angles 5, are electrical apparatus containing compartments or so-called shells B, more particularly, in form and function, 50 largely set forth and described in my copending patent for Panel-boxes, No. 1,967,523, issued July 24, 1934, to which reference is hereby made. The particular pair of angles 5 thus function not only to rigidly secure the particular shells B in position, but also align the shells B one with the other in a row with respect to projection thereof forwardly from the front face of the panel A.

The present shells B, however, differ in certain particulars from the panel-shells of my said patent, as will now be particularly pointed out. The shell B is in the form of an open sided member of suitable preferably metallic material, adapted for presentation of its open side through an aperture 2 for access into the box from the front of the panel, and also open at its upper and lower ends for accessibly from the rear of the panel facilitating the electrical connections to the switching or similar apparatus and parts carried by the shell B.

As more particularly set forth in my said Patent No. 1,967,523, the panel box or shell B contains and includes suitably arranged sets of terminal members and parts co-operating therewith, all insulatably isolated in the shell B. One such set of terminals, as switch-blade-receptive spring clips 6, is shown in Figure 4, and in Figures 1, 2, and 3, is shown also one manner in which, by means of suitably bent conductors I, the customary busbars 8, of the switch-board may be connected, for example, to the clips 6.

The shell B also includes opposing side walls I forwardly projecting from the rear wall 9, each side wall I9 having a depending bracket Ii provided with an inturned flange II adapted for supporting between the brackets a shelf (not shown) preferably, I may here state, of insulating material for, in turn, supporting the branchfeeder cables (also not shown).

The shell side-walls III at their respective forward margins are inwardly bent forming jambs I2 converging to the front opening of the box for correspondingly reducing the area of the open front of the box and for substantially engaging in snug closure-eifecting manner the side walls of that particular aperture 2 with which the specific shell is designed to co-operate. Preferably the shell side walls II] at their lower portions de pend below the bottom wall of the particular aperture 2, the jambs I2 being suitably at such point out back to clear the panel-wall I.

Integrally formed with the jambs I2 for marginally bounding with a rim-like projection the sides of the aperture 2, are side flanges I3 in length substantially equal to the height of the opening 2 and at their respective lower ends terminating in ears I4 each preferably stiffened by a member I5 including a rearward leg I6 adapted for depending through the opening 2 for residing adjacent the jamb I2 and wall I, as best seen in Figure 5.

A top flange II, supported by means of ears I8 on and between the respective flanges I3, spans the shell-opening for also marginally bounding with a rimlike projection the top of the aperture 2, the flange I1 being for shell-stiffening purposes provided with an upturned rear marginal leg I9 adapted to reside behind the wall I.

Adapted for co-operation with the apparatus contained in the particular shell, in a manner fully set forth in my said Patent No. 1,967,523, is a door 29 having a marginal top flange 2| and also marginal side flanges 22, all adapted to correspondingly overlie the projecting flanges I3, IT, on closure of the door in door-stopping impinge ment with the wall I, the door 2!! hence, when closed, neatly and fully concealing the joint between the wall I and the shell B inserted therein.

The door 20 along its lower margin is flanged first inwardly for providing a shelf 23 and then downwardly for providing a depending skirt 24 adapted, when the door is closed, for entering the aperture 2 with the skirt 24 residing rearwardly of the wall I, thereby snugly effecting closure between the bottom of the door 20 and the bottom 5 of the aperture 2.

At each lower corner, the door 20 is hingedly connected to the respective ears I4 by means of pintles 26 removably seated in and through aligned apertures provided suitably for such purl0 pose co-operatively in the door flange 22, ear I4, and reinforcing member I 5. Each pin 26 includes an offset lug 21 disposed on the shelf 23 and secured thereto by a suitable fastening e1ement or countersunk head-screw 28. By removing the screws 28, the respective pintles 26 may be withdrawn from engagement with the shell 13, and the door 29 hence readily detached therefrom.

For manipulative purposes, the door is provided with handle 29, which may be rigidly se- 20 cured to the front wall of the door, as shown, or mounted for shiftable movement on the door 20, as fully set forth in my said Patent No. 1,967,523.

There may be any number of panel-shells B mounted in a row, and any number of rows provided on a panel-section A. However, I do not wish to be limited to a panel-section devoted exclusively to association with panel-shells, but additionally mount on a panel-section other apparatus, such as plug-in switches 30, or, again, 30 circuit-breakers, meters, and the like. The apparatus in the panel-shells B may, furthermore, be employed as simple disconnecting switches for main or branch feeder line, or as switch-andfuse combinations as described in my said Patent No. 1,967,523, and they may in size vary according to the voltage, amperage, and phase of the circuit affected.

It is customary in switch-board construction to provide so-called pull-boxes C conveniently overhead the apparatus of the switchboard. Hence, I may integrally extend the panel-sections A sufficiently each above the topmost row of panel-shells B to form the front wall 3I of the corresponding pull-box C for that particular panel. The floor of the pull-box C is composed of a plate 32 preferably of insulating material, to be suitably drilled for the reception of the feeder-cables (not shown) leading to the distribution system.

From the plate 32 depends a so-called wiring gutter composed of a pair of opposed channels 33, supported between which is an insulating panel 34 adapted for supporting the cables (not shown) leading from the switch-board apparatus to the pull-box C. The gutter channels 33 are suitably, by brackets 35, 35', bracingly supported from the rear flange 3 of the panel A, and a detachable cover-plate 36 serves suitably to enclose the space between the channels 33. 50

The floor plate 32 of the pull-box C rests upon the inturned legs of opposed angle-members 31, whose downturned legs are attached to the respective side walls 3 of the panel A, the flange 3' being suitably cut away and the wall 3, above the angle 31, being preferably narrowed, as at 38, for facilitating access to the pull box. Top side angle members 39 are connected to the narrowed portions of the wall 3 and to rear corner angle members 49 upstanding from the angles 31, the m mbers 49 being at their top connected by a horizontal angle member M. A top-plate 42, side plates 43, and a rear plate 44, detachably secured to said several respective angle members, serve to complete the pull-box enclosure.

In assembling the panels A to form the completed switch-board structure, I prefer to employ an inverted floor-channel 45 running, in a long switchboard, the length of at least several of the panel sections A. The bottom flanges 4 of the respective panels A are suitably attached to the channel 45, with the side walls 3 of adjoining panels abuttingly suitably connected together. Preferably, a suitable pipe-frame, well known to those skilled in the art, is constructed at the rear of the switch-board for bracing the merely a fragmentary portion of a top member 56 of such a pipe frame, as it appears connected to the rear projecting end of the angle 37, being illustratively shown in Figure 2.

It will be seen that the current carrying or line parts in the shell B are shielded from possibility of accidental contact when the door 20 is closed, the intervening portions of the panel wall l spanning the spaces between the several shells for effectively preventing access to the thereinbehind disposed conductors, and the like. Especially when the panel shells B are of the socalled auto-shift type, as more fully described in my said Patent No. 1,967,523, the individual cover or door 29 mounted on each shell B assures correct alignment of the contacts on the door with those disposed in the shell, that is to say, the panel front A is not determinative of the correct position of the switches.

I might add that, in practice, my new panel sections are inexpensive in manufacture, easily portable as sectional units, may be readily and conveniently assembled and connected in comsWitch-board formation, and when assembled form a sturdy, attractive, and economical switch-board structure highly efiicient for its intended uses, the doors only of the respective shells being visually exposed on the front face of the panel wall and the several openings or apertures in the panel wall being snugly closed by such doors, and the completed switch-board being selectively of such size and including as many units as may be desired in the particular installation.

It will be understood that changes and modifioations in the form, construction, arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the switch-board may be made and substituted for those herein shown and described without departing from the nature and principle of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a switch-board, in combination, a panel having an aperture, and a switch-shell comprising side walls having converging extensions projecting through, and snugly engaging the walls of, said aperture.

2. In a switch-board, in combination, a panel having an aperture, a switch-shell comprising side Walls having converging extensions projecting through, and snugly engaging the walls of, said aperture, flanges on said extensions disposed outwardly beyond the front face of said wall, and a shell closure-member hinged to said flanges for closure against the panel and over said flanges for sealing the joint between the panel and said wall-extensions.

3. In a switch-board, a panel having an aperture, a switch shell comprising side walls having converging jamb-extensions projecting through, and snugly engaging the walls of, said aperture, flanges on said extensions disposed forwardly beyond the front face of said wall and marginally bounding the top and sides of the apertures, ears on some of said flanges, and a closure-door for the shell hinged to said ears and having marginal flanges adapted, when the door is closed, for overlying the shell flanges.

4. In a switch-board, a panel having an aperture, a switch-shell comprising side walls having converging jamb-extensions projecting through, and snugly engaging the walls of, said aperture, flanges on said extensions disposed forwardly beyond the front face of said wall and marginally bounding the top and sides of the apertures, ears on some of the shell-flanges, and a closuredoor for the shell hinged to said ears and having marginal flanges adapted, when the door is closed, for overlying the shell flanges, said door also having a bottom flange having a part adapted to project through the aperture for disposition ln the rear of the wall when the door is closed.

WILLIAM WURDACK, JR. 

